Our Story - OVER THE YEARS

A feasibility study of Mr. Adolfo Miguel on the prospects of Davao Medical School concluded the possibility of its establishment. This is a requirement of his Masters Degree with Ateneo de Davao University.

There are only 61 rural health physicians in this region, giving a doctor-population ratio of 1:5,194.

Dr. Jesus dela Paz
The idea of a consortium was conceived during the Philippine Hospital Association meeting when Sr. Florida Manzano, OP, proposed the idea of forming the consortium with Atty. Juan V. Faune, Administrator of Brokenshire.

FAITH
We have no money, we only have faith….

Sr. Florida Manzano, OP
The Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc. (DMSFI) is a community-oriented academic institution established to respond to the lack of health care providers and changing health patterns of communities in the island of Mindanao.

A consortium consisting of the Ateneo de Davao University, Brokenshire Memorial Hospital, Development of People’s Foundation, San Pedro College, and San Pedro Hospital established Davao Medical School Foundation (DMSF) as the first medical school in Mindanao.

Nellie Kellog Schaick scholarship grant received.

In 1977, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation donated Php 750,000 through the Development of People’s Foundation, which partly funded the construction of the first building of DMSF.

A “Walk for a Cause” and donations from Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Asia Foundation, and Nellie Kellog Van Shaick Foundation helped give the school a head-start. The first batch of medical students were welcomed in the same year.

It was June 1, 1977, that DMSF opened its doors to the first batch of medical students. Classes were held at the old building of the San Pedro Hospital.

The Board of Trustees has engraved an Institute of Primary Health Care whose thrust is:

• The education of a new person in medicine, a family-community oriented medical doctor.
• Education and training of Primary Health Care workers.
• Trained 877 community health volunteers (katiwala) in Davao City, Davao del Sur, and North Cotabato to popularize Primary Health Care.

Dr. Jesus dela Paz was the first Executive Director of IPHC, the Katiwala Program, and the community-based development initiatives.

DMSF occupied the 2.5-hectare lot area (up to the present time) with the Institute of Primary Health Care (IPHC), College of Dentistry, and Center for Education, Research, and Development in Health (CERDH) forming the four operating units of DMSF.

The College of Dentistry was established to address the long-felt need for a well-rounded dental care service.

Dr. Pedro M. Morales was the first Dean of the College of Dentistry.

The first graduation ceremony was held at San Pedro College Auditorium.

The Center of Education, Research, and Development in Health (CEDRH) was established with Dr. Warlito C. Vicente as Director.

RESPECT
IPHC implemented the Community Health through Integrated Local Development (CHILD) Project in Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao City, Surigao del Sur, and South Cotabato, with NEDA, DOH, DILG, POPCOM, and funded by USAID.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program was officially opened as a response to the shortage of community-oriented nurses.

Ms. Delia I. de Paz, RN, MN was the first Dean of the College of Nursing.

Masters in Community Health (MCH) offered.

IPHC implemented the Grassroots Organizing for the Welfare of Children Project in New Bataan, Davao del Norte.

IPHC, with the University of Calgary and Mahidol University of Thailand, offered five-week international courses to development workers.

Masters in Participatory Development (MPD) offered.

The Innovative Health Sciences Education Partnership (IHSEP) with DOH, CHED, started. IPHC consulted 115 People’s Organizations (POs) in the First People’s Organization Forum.

INTEGRITY
IPHC implemented the Minimum Basic Needs (MBN) Project in Region IX, X, XI, XII, and Caraga.

Strategic Plan 2001-2004 started.

IPHC implemented the Sustainable Integrated Area Development (SIAD) in Davao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.

IPHC conducted the In-Country Training Program (ICTP) in ARMM until 2007.

The DMSFI Hospital, a 100-bed capacity hospital, was established as a training hospital of the Davao Medical School community.

Dr. Bong Vega was the first Medical Director of the DMSFI Hospital.

DMSFI attained Bureau of Immigration accreditation.

A humanitarian medical mission was sent to Indonesia.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program was officially opened as a response to the shortage of community-oriented nurses.

Ms. Delia I. de Paz, RN, MN was the first Dean of the College of Nursing.

The College of Medicine catered to international students from India, Nepal, Malaysia, and Thailand.

CERDH was renamed the Institute of Graduate Studies and Research (IGSR), as the research training arm of DMSFI. IGSR envisions producing master's graduates who are highly competent in the fundamentals of each discipline for careers in community health, teaching, participatory development, and research. The unit also aims to produce quality researchers that are responsive to the health needs of the people in Mindanao.

The College of Medicine catered to international students from India, Nepal, Malaysia, and Thailand.

The Medical Education Unit of the College of Medicine was created.

EXCELLENCE
Institutional team-building efforts deepened.

Masters in Health Professions Education (MHPed) offered.

The DMSF Hospital Workbreak Program was established.

The DMSF Hospital Renal Dialysis Unit became operational.

The Bachelor of Science in Biology program was officially established. It is designed to provide students a broad-based understanding of fundamental theories, concepts, and principles of biological science honing them en route for Medicine.

The Alumni and External Relations Office was established.

The Spirituality Center and Internal Audit Office were created.

IPHC became the community extension arm of DMSFI.

The DMSF Hospital Quality Assurance Program was implemented.

In June of 2012, the Midwifery course was re-opened and expanded to a 4-year program leading to the Bachelor’s Degree in Midwifery Program.

Medical and dental teams were sent to Typhoon Pablo-affected areas.

The DMSF Hospital Employees Wellness Clinic and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit were opened.

The DMSF Hospital prioritized primary care and patient-centered team approach.

The DMSF Hospital attained DOH Level II Category and PHIC Center of Quality (2012-2014).

The first awarding of distinguished alumni took place.

A MOA on Public-Private Partnership with the Davao City Health Office was signed.

The Clinical Monitoring Office was created.

Medical mission teams were sent to Typhoon Yolanda affected areas.

The All-Lumad Midwifery Course started.

The DMSF Hospital established a Birthing Center, the Newborn Screening Section, and a Diabetes Clinic.

A 10-storey College of Medicine building was put up.

The new library was opened.

21 Lumad midwives graduated.

Anatomage became operational.

The DMSF Hospital was reorganized.

IPHC distributed more than 800 solar lanterns in Marilog, Talaingod, and San Isidro, Davao City.

The Center for Healthcare Simulation was conferred as an International Training Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, Basic Life Support, Heartsavers, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support of the American Heart Association.